Going to Marquette

Glendale Secondary School's Saicha Grant-Allen has inked a basketball scholarship with nationally-ranked Dayton University (DU), while Burlington Assumption Catholic Secondary School's Autumn Bailey promises to soar at Marquette University (MU), where the Canadian national junior volleyball player will suit up for the Golden Eagles.

Syracuse, South Florida, Nebraska, Texas Tech, Iowa, Fordham, and Mississippi State were among the many NCAA D1 schools who coveted the 6-foot-4 Grant-Allen.

"Numerous schools (on both sides of the border — including three-peat CIS champion University of Windsor) were interested in signing Saicha," said Tish Jeffrey, coach of the 2011 Hamilton champion Glendale Lady Bears.

The 2012 winner of the Wismer Coaching Award of Excellence remembers a gifted, humble high school player who made an impact from Day 1.

"She is one of a kind," said Jeffrey. "Probably the greatest attribute that Saicha brought to our team was her humility."

The talented front line player was "so inclusive, always playing a team game, even when I wanted her to be more demanding of the ball," said the Bears bench boss.

"Saicha never thought she was better than anyone and always had the team's best interests at heart. And that's why we were so successful.

"It's been a privilege to share in the recruiting experience — it gives all athletes at Glendale a chance to see that dreams can come true, through dedication and hard work."

Concluded Jeffrey: "I'm thankful to Saicha and her family for their loyalty to our school and program at Glendale."

The 17-year-old internationalist was attracted to Dayton, a private co-ed Marianist Roman Catholic University (Dayton, Ohio), because of the family and religious atmosphere, the coaches (head coach, Jim Jabir — Atlantic-10 coach of the year, and his staff) and its proximity to Hamilton.

On the world stage at the 2012 FIBA U17 World Championship in Amsterdam, the post player was considered "a key player in Canada's run to a bronze medal — the first medal ever won at the age-group world championship level."

Dayton has made four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. Look for the Flyers to make it five in a row with the addition of the talented Canadian.

And Marquette University (MU) volleyball coach Bond Shymansky believes he has signed an ace in Bailey.

"Autumn's size (5-foot-9) belies her ability," said the 2011 BIG EAST coach of the year. "She is not the tallest player on the court, but she is incredibly dynamic. Autumn packs a powerful punch. She hits the ball as well as anyone I've ever seen her age."

And the Golden Eagles coach is impressed with Bailey's competitive drive and steely determination.

"She knows how to dig down deep and find that extra ounce of passion to dominate her opponent, and inspire her own team. On top of all that, Autumn is a good person and a fine student."

The former Crusader will bring her "obvious gifts" to a soaring Eagle team that made MU history this past season — an overall best 27-7 season that included a 13-2 record in conference play.

Shymansky, who has coached his "Jumpin' Jesuits" to back-to-back (2011 and 2012) NCAA Tournament appearances, loves the leadership style in his heavily recruited rookie.

"Autumn is a natural leader and a born competitor," said the Golden Eagles skipper.

"She will work hard to be a better player, but she will also push others around her to be better, too."

Shymansky concluded: "Autumn is a rare young woman in this day and age of entitlement and self-promotion."

The "high flyer" was a key cog in Assumption's AAA OFSAA volleyball championship in 2011 — the first provincial team title in school history; a huge hitter on Defensa — Bailey's club team — which captured gold at the Canadian U16 national championships, and a silver at the U17 Canadians. Add selection to the 2012 Canadian junior national team to the talented young Canuck's court credentials.

Bouquets and sweets may have been popular gifts for moms Sunday. But, for Saicha Grant-Allen's mom, Sophia, and Autumn Bailey's mom, Wendy, there was no greater gift on Mother's Day than the gift of their girls.

Cecelia Carter Smith is a four-time Canadian track champion, former indoor Canadian and world record holder in track and a member of the Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame and Gallery of Distinction.